“You’ll be hooked by this charming story. . . . Smolinski gives us a quick-witted heroine . . . with just the right amount of romance and a tad of suspense.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch Meet June Parker. She works for L.A. Rideshare, adores her rent-stabilized apartment in Santa Monica, and struggles with losing a few pesky pounds. But June’s life is about to change. After a dark turn of events involving Weight Watchers, a chili recipe, and a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June finds herself in possession of a list Marissa has written, “20 Things to Do By My 25th Birthday.” Even though they barely knew each other, June is compelled by both guilt and a desire to set things right and finish the list for Marissa. The tasks before her range from inspiring (Run a 5K), to daring (Go braless), to near-impossible (Change someone’ s life), and as June races to achieve each goal before the deadline, she learns more about her own life than she ever bargained for. Funny, engaging, and heartwarming, The Next Thing on My List features a loveable, relatable heroine and a story with plenty of humor and heart.
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"Boy did I enjoy this - its a make you laugh and cry type of book. I listened to it on CD and I was driving my car listening and people must have wondered who the crazy lady was - cause I would find myself saying "oh no, OMG! and just plain cracking up."
— Debby (5 out of 5 stars)
" I didn't like the ending.... "
— Marie, 2/17/2014" So a few things about this book. It was a really cute premise. I thought it was cute that she finished her friends list of things to do for her. Now I want to make a list of things to do...I feel like I guess I'm not that motivated sometimes, but I think I could muster up a list! Second thing about this book, it had a lot of language. Probably over 20-30 f's. Totally unnecessary. And it had a lot of innuendos. Third thing, I really liked the characters in this book. I like Troy but they totally threw me a curve ball at the end, even though I was happy with how that all turned out. Cute book, probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone. "
— Nielson, 2/12/2014" Nothing terribly literary, just an easy fun read. I really enjoyed it! And best of all, it provokes the reader into reviewing our own dreams for our lives! "
— Christee, 2/11/2014" not to read if you're looking for a book of depth or value, but it is enjoyable and quick. it has a certain amount of quirk that makes up for a portion of its overall lack of content, making it a great "mindless" summer day book. it's good for what it is; not Vonnegut, but not terrible. "
— Kaitlyn, 2/9/2014" I really enjoyed the purpose of this book and did actually find it inspiring to some extent. Maybe that's just because I, like the main character, am going through a dead point in my life, just going through the motions. I wish the characters would have been more fully developed. Many came across as vapid and shallow. A meaningful book should have more meaningful characters, but all in all I did like it. "
— Christanna, 1/24/2014" I liked this book. I really like the idea of completing a list of goals for someone who could not complete it themselves. Although much of the book was predictable it was fun to see how things were unraveled and accomplished. Although there wasn't much, some of the language was offensive to me. Still, a fun read. "
— Aleena, 1/23/2014" somewhat predictable. Another book club book. Enjoyed the book. It was light and quick to read. "
— Jen, 1/22/2014" Very moving and motivational, yet light and fun. Loved it! "
— Hentsla, 1/20/2014" A very inspirational read, but was disappointed with the ending. This was 3 out of 5 for me. "
— Catherine, 1/14/2014" what a great book - reminds me of P.S. I Love you - laughed and teared up a bit - and an easy read "
— Mona, 1/9/2014" This was a good light read about a woman who in an accident kills the passenger in her car. She finds a to do list in the other woman's pocket and as a type of penance decides she will complete the list. Not bad. "
— Meg, 1/1/2014" It was ok, not literary at all, but not bad either. A quick read, when you want something light. "
— Jenn, 12/31/2013" Sad, sweet, lovely... and the taco soup (or my rendition of it) is awesome. "
— Zarah, 12/23/2013" I thought this would be fluff but I was really impressed! It doesn't end the way you think it will and I have no doubt they will make a nice chic flick out of this very soon. Really a great and fast read! "
— Suzanne, 12/23/2013" Maybe three and a half. I liked the writing. I mostly liked the main character. The book started off strong, but kind of lost momentum. Not sure how I feel about the ending. "
— Tiffany, 12/9/2013" I picked this book up in the airport on a whim. What a great read! I sent it on to my sister & she has since passed it on. Everyone has loved it! "
— Sue, 12/9/2013" Loved it! Great story about completing someone else's bucket list. "
— Cindy, 10/22/2013" Sweet little chunk of brain candy "
— Shannon, 8/2/2013" Good, light, quick read "
— Annie, 6/12/2013" Read this for a book club. Was not a fan. Wish I could give it a half star. "
— Kristin, 4/4/2013" I expected this one to be depressing but it was actually very funny. It reminds me of Bridget Jones Diary. Light enough and easy to read "
— Jacy, 3/21/2013" Fun quick read with some surprising profanity and sexual situations (that weren't necessary - and I rarely think they aren't necessary). Beginning seems fairly flippant about the plot, but I think the author was intending to keep things light. Not a deep read but a cute book. "
— Joanna, 1/24/2013" This is a great book that really makes you think "
— Becky, 1/11/2013" Pocket reader, but entertaining. "
— Kristen, 6/25/2012" Great for book clubs. Light but a quick easy read and it makes you think. Maybe I will write my own list. "
— Jera, 5/10/2012" cute & light summer read with a few giggles. "
— Katherine, 12/25/2011" Fun quick read. Great for a Beach Read or curling up on the couch on a snowy day. "
— Miranda, 12/3/2011" A clever plot idea wherein a self-focused woman, June Parker, strives to complete the wish to-do list of an acquaintance who was killed in a car accident. It forces her to delve outside her comfort zone and try things that seemed unreachable before. "
— Melinda, 10/28/2011" Cute story with interesting characters and a great premise - fulfilling everything on someone else's bucket list posthumously. Great summer reading as it has a positive storyline and a very warm feel. "
— Casi, 10/23/2011" A fun read, entertaining. The ending she writes is utterly unexpected, though, but in a bad way for me. I didn't get enough build up to and foreshadowing of the ending to make it feel satisfying. "
— Heidideifel, 8/2/2011" Cute, was nice to read a story set in SoCal. A little predictable. Fun, light read. "
— Sam, 6/12/2011" I really enjoyed this book! A great story with a sad start, but amazing end! I just may have to make my own list I think! "
— Jill, 6/4/2011" Cute story with an interesting idea! It made me think about what I should put on my list of things to do and start working on them now! :) "
— Nicole, 5/26/2011" I liked this book. It was interesting to read and ponder what would be on my list and if I am fulfilling all I can in this life. I loved each and every character and got into what they wanted/needed out of life. I would recommend this book! "
— Katie, 5/20/2011" love this book until the end.... "
— Lyndi, 5/17/2011" very fun book! would be great for a summer book club, so I think I'll suggest it for ours! "
— Anne, 5/15/2011" I loved this book. It was an easy read with a clear message. June was very likable and I wasn't able to put the book down until I got to the end. "
— Fran, 5/7/2011" Easy, funny novel--I laughed out loud several times. I did not like the quick ending or the use of the "f" word, however. "
— Andrea, 5/7/2011" This book confirms my earlier assertion that any idiot with any cliche idea can get a book published, but I also have to qualify this to say that it probably pertains mostly to "chick lit". There is no excuse for this kind of crap getting published. "
— Molly, 4/25/2011" I really liked this book, esp. the middle 2/3rds of it, but the ending left me a little unsatisfied. If it had ended differently, I would have given it 4 stars. All in all, a good read, esp. one that I got at the library book sale for $1. "
— Laura, 4/12/2011" I truly enjoyed this story from start to finish. It was very inspiring and makes me want to come up with my own "list". "
— April, 4/2/2011" nice sweet story with a twist. Light read. "
— Nish, 4/1/2011" Reading this book just annoyed me. The writing seemed forced. Basically, it just struck me as cheap "chick-lit." "
— Kristal, 3/28/2011" Book club pick for May. Oops I meant April. <br/> <br/> "
— Barb, 3/26/2011" Good read. Didnt require any thinking, but was quite entertaining. "
— Amy, 3/21/2011Jill Smolinski is the author of the novels The Next Thing on My List, Flip-Flopped, and Objects of My Affection. Her work has appeared in major women’s magazines, as well as in an anthology of short stories, American Girls about Town. She lives in Los Angeles with her son.